Washington runs past Metamora for 26-7 win at Babcook

Friday

WASHINGTON — Washington took down Metamora with its balanced rushing attack, big plays and tough defense.

The Panthers (3-1, 2-0) fell behind in the first quarter of the Mid-Illini Conference football game before scoring 26 unanswered points in a 26-7 win over Metamora (0-4, 0-2).

“I thought our defense played excellent,” Washington coach Darrell Crouch said. “The seven they gave up was because they got short-changed by us and we leave the ball down here (on the 24).”

On Washington’s second drive of the game, Caleb Fisher fumbled and the Redbirds recovered on the Panthers’ 24. Several plays later, Metamora’s senior running back Ethan Hodel scored from three yards out to give the 'Birds a 7-0 lead at Babcook Field.

That’d be all the excitement for the Redbirds, who were outgained 484-117, and notched only one first down in the first half.

“Up front we couldn’t get any movement at the point of attack a lot of the time. So we were disappointed with that,” Metamora coach Pat Ryan said. “We thought if we could get them in certain sets and got a linebacker out of there, we thought we would be able to move the ball a little better.”

Metamora’s biggest play came on a 50-yard pass from Thomas Hall to John Gatton, but Gatton fumbled and Washington recovered on its own six.

The Panthers delivered on the ground on all four touchdowns and rushed for 388 yards. The attack was helped by the fact that Josh Schellenberg was at full strength after sitting for most of the Canton game last week. He adds explosiveness to a rushing attack that includes Sam Walter and Caleb Fisher.

“It gives me or anyone else a break especially in the backfield because if I’m out, the next person is as explosive as I am,” said Walter, who rushed for 190 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries. “When we’re healthy, we’re even better.”

Schellenberg added 87 yards and a touchdown and Fisher 83 of his own. Fisher also completed 7 of 14 passes to six different receivers for 96 yards.

The trio combined for nine runs that gained 20 yards or more. Walter had five such runs, including two he took for six. His first touchdown run came with 2:51 left in the first quarter, a one-yard run, to pull Washington withing 7-6 after a missed extra point off the left upright.

Schellenberg punched in on a four-yard run with 8:22 left in the second quarter to give the Panthers a 12-7 lead. Walter’s 22-yard touchdown run gave the Panthers a 20-7 lead going into halftime. His 32-yard touchdown run made it 26-7.

Aaron Ferguson can be reached at 686-3207 or aferguson@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Sports_Aaron.

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